The European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, began his two-day visit in Dublin meeting with researchers in AMBER, the Science Foundation Ireland funded materials science centre based at Trinity College Dublin. Since the research centre’s launch 18 months ago, AMBER researchers have been awarded more than €12 million in funding from the European Commission, across 18 research projects. A selection of AMBER principal investigators, whose research is funded by the EC, were given the opportunity to present their progress to date across their research projects to Vice-President Katainen. Two of the researchers presenting, Professor Daniel Kelly and Professor Wolfgang Schmitt, were both awarded ERC consolidator grants this year. The ERC consolidator grant is awarded to those with more than seven and up to 12 years of experience since completion of PhD, and is to encourage highly talented researchers at an early stage of their career. Prof Kelly’s research, which was awarded €2 million in funding by the EC, focuses on producing biomaterials which can be used to regenerate both cartilage and bone in a diseased joint. His research uses biomaterials containing adult stem cells, and could potentially be used to print hip or knee implants for osteoarthritis sufferers. This is the next generation of implants and are intended to be used to target specific clinical problems in orthopaedic and cardiovascular medicine. Prof Schmitt’s research, which was awarded €2 million in funding by the EC, looks at metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for energy storage and conversion. The ultimate aim of his research is to harvest light and convert it into chemical energy – which is the ultimate, sustainable, green energy solution. European Commission Vice-President, Jyrki Katainen visits Science Gallery and AMBER Research Centre in Trinity College. Pic Paul Sharp/SHARPPIXFollowing his visit to AMBER, Vice-President Katainen said:  "Investing in research is a priority for the EU soI was delighted to have the opportunity to meet several EU-funded researchers at AMBER today. I am confident that the investment plan for Europe will be instrumental in supporting research-related projects across Europe. “Today I have seen first-hand how AMBER is conducting world-class material science research which will not only help to solve societal challenges but also help to boost our competitiveness and create the jobs and growth needed in Europe." Professor Stefano Sanvito, acting director at AMBER, said, “We are privileged to have had European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen visit us here at AMBER. “At AMBER we are working to educate the next generation of researchers and create breakthroughs that influence everyone’s quality of life; such as the development of next generation computer chips; new medical devices, implants and pharmaceuticals which will improve patient care. “The European Commission’s funding is imperative to AMBER continuing to establish a leading international position for Ireland in materials science and continue to provide world leading research that includes productive engagement with industry and the creation of new jobs.” Vice-President Katainen’s visit concluded with a demonstration in AMBER’s lab, where Dr Keith Paton, working with Professor Jonathan Coleman conducted his ‘Graphene Kitchen Blender’ experiment. Professor Coleman pours graphite powder (the ‘lead’ in our pencils) into a blender, adds dishwashing liquid, mixing at high speed, and creates graphene. This method has been refined to produce industrial quantities of high quality graphene. Described as a wonder material, graphene is a single-atom thick sheet of carbon. It is extremely light and stronger than steel, yet incredibly flexible and extremely electrically conductive. Richard Coull, lead engineer working with Professor Valeria Nicolosi, demonstrated how graphene and other two-dimensional materials could be printed to make devices such as flexible batteries.